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MSME Clearinghouse:  Newsletter

arrow OAS MSME Newsletter: (as of January 15, 2021):
 
This OAS MSME Newsletter is dedicated to measures recently announced by OAS Member States to drive the economic recovery of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The policy responses vary from country to country and are specific to the economic circumstances of each Member State. Given that every day produces new developments, this inventory is in no way exhaustive.



Country Policy Responses
Argentina

SMEs can now apply for investment loans at subsidized rates

The Productive Investment Line LIP PyMEs is now available in 21 public and private banks throughout the country. These are loans with a subsidized interest rate from the Ministry of Productive Development of Argentina that will finance projects of up to $ 70 million per company, with a first installment of $ 20,000 million.

The SME LIP loans will have a term of up to 61 months with a six-month grace period, and an interest rate subsidized by the National Productive Development Fund (FONDEP) of 25% per year for the first two years. From this rate, two more percentage points can be given in the case of SMEs that register exports in the last 24 months, and an extra percentage point in the case of SMEs that are led or owned by women. In this way, the subsidized rate can reach up to 22% per year depending on the characteristics of the applicant company.



New term for tourism and cultural SMEs to access loans at a rate of 0%

The Secretariat for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurs of the Ministry of Productive Development extended, until March 31, the deadline for SMEs in the tourism and culture sectors to access credit lines at a rate of 0% per cent from Banco Nación.



The Supermarket Shelves Law was regulated to diversify the offer of products and allow more presence of SMEs in supermarkets

The national government regulated the Supermarket Shelves Law (Law 27,545) that will allow a greater offer of products in the large supermarket chains, both physically and virtually, and will allow SMEs, cooperatives and family farming enterprises to have equitable treatment in the space they occupy in the shelves.



Bolivia

New Alteñas entrepreneurs and Made in Bolivia brand

The production of entrepreneurs in the textile sector will have its own brand: led by women and with the Made in Bolivia seal, to encourage and reactivate the economy of micro and small producers, with the support of the national government.



Brazil

The federal government simplifies registration for individual microentrepreneurs to participate in public biddings

Since December 23, all individual microentrepreneurs now have another facility to participate in the federal government's bidding processes. To register as a service provider, individual microentrepreneurs will no longer have to provide digital certification data in the Unified Provider Registration System (Sicaf). The objective of the simplification of the registration process is to encourage a greater participation of small entrepreneurs in the public procurement market.


EmConta: Platform that compares financial services will allow pre-contracting without leaving home

In order to bring more and more convenience to small business owners, Sebrae launched new features on the EmConta platform. The tool, created to facilitate comparison and enable contracting financial services, gained more functionality. From now on, in addition to comparing the different options, entrepreneurs will be able to advance in the service contracting process, carrying out pre-contracting on the platform, in a safe and agile way.


Sebrae presented Business ideas for those interested in opening new businesses

Sebrae offered more than 400 business ideas to support potential entrepreneurs, with content aimed at those planning to start a business or become an Individual Micro-entrepreneur.


Sebrae's program to promote female entrepreneurship reaches more than 10,000 women

Sebrae Delas was created to serve the more than nine million Brazilian women who lead a business. Increasingly, female entrepreneurship has been gaining momentum and, to serve this growing audience, Sebrae created an acceleration program with the aim of increasing the probability of success of ideas and businesses led by women: Sebrae Delas.



Small Businesses Hire More Black People in Economic Recovery

A Sebrae survey also finds that layoffs were highest among white workers. Micro and small businesses are playing a fundamental role in the resumption of employment in Brazil and also in the inclusion of black people in the labor market. A survey conducted by Sebrae, based on data from the Ministry of the Economy's Novo Caged, shows that black people are participating more in the recovery of the economy and suffered the least from layoffs.


Canada

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Provide Support to Small Businesses

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will be providing support to agri-processors and industry service providers to expand their market presence, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister announced today.


Chile

Sercotec delivers $ 130 billion in subsidies to reactivate SMEs

The work of this service, dependent on the Ministry of Economy, allowed to focus all its resources for the reactivation of micro and small companies in the country. Hence, 103 programs were executed between regional and others at the national level, which benefitted 105,739 SMEs.


Sercotec delivers Sanitation Kits to strengthen the country's commercial sectors

There are more than 650 commercial sectors and free fairs that are simultaneously receiving these portable sinks, benefiting more than 31,000 tenants.

Colombia

Entrepreneurship Law, enters into force

With this law, the enterprise has a modern regulatory framework that will facilitate the birth and growth of new companies and will encourage the generation of new jobs.


MSMEs strengthened with the CREEce program

In order to support MSMEs in their reactivation process and promote their growth, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, in partnership with the European Union and the Chambers of Commerce of Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Medellín, implemented the Business Growth Program for Formalization - CREEce.

The initiative is part of the national government's commitment to help the productive sector overcome the challenges of the current situation due to COVID-19 and advance in the business formalization processes within the framework of the so-called “new normal”.

With an approximate investment of $ 5,000 million, 1,980 micro and small businesses in economic areas such as gastronomy, commerce, fashion system, hardware stores, drugstores, aesthetics and beauty were assisted.


Dominican Republic

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM): Dialogues on "Public Policies" to promote MSME competitiveness

The Ministry carried out a series of dialogues on "Public Policies for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship" to promote the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country and promote the exchange of successful experiences that contribute to strengthening the competitiveness.


MICM starts in Puerto Plata "My Digital Municipality", an initiative to promote the growth and development of MSMEs

The launch of the "My Digital Municipality" program in this province seeks to contribute to the insertion of micro, small and medium-sized companies in the digital world to enhance their growth and development.


El Salvador

More than $ 75 thousand in seed capital delivered to enterprises of the Poverty Eradication Strategy

The Government of El Salvador, through the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE), delivered seed capital to entrepreneurs participating in the Poverty Eradication Strategy.


Launch of the platform "I consume what I produce"

The National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE) will sign an agreement with the Center for the Center for the Defense of the Consumer so that SME producers can participate in the project "I consume what I produce"

The objective of this initiative is to open spaces for marketing and promotion for products made in the country, as well as the development of MYPEs supported by the institution.


Guyana

National COVID-19 Cash Grant

The cash grant has served as a timely economic impetus and has catalysed business activity everywhere.

Haiti

Official launch of the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan (PREPOC)

The Ministry of Culture and Communication announced the publication of the Post-Covid Economic Recovery Plan (PREPOC).

This strategic document was prepared in relation to the damage caused by covid19, with the aim of contributing to a lasting recovery of the Haitian economy and the creation of new jobs.

It is a plan that aims to transform the economy by investing as a priority in the most promising areas, revitalizing economic growth and returning the country to the path of development and social prosperity. It was reviewed on December 8, 2020 by a joint technical committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation.


Honduras

National Reconstruction will promote entrepreneurship, agriculture, infrastructure, health and education

The Government announced that the axes of the National Reconstruction Plan will be focused on promoting small and medium businesses, the agricultural sector, infrastructure, education, health and social programs for the benefit of the most vulnerable


Panama

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Authority (AMPYME) delivers non-refundable seed capital to microentrepreneurs in Colón

A total of 22 people (14 women and 8 men), from the communities of: Las Palmas, Barrio Sur, Cristóbal, Chagres, Barrio Norte, Cativá were benefited with the delivery of the seed capital of B /. 2,000 each to start a business as part of the "Start Your Business" program.


Paraguay

In 2020, MIPYMES and entrepreneurs participated in economic reactivation fairs

The participation of some 263 entrepreneurs and MSMEs and an estimated sales of Gs. 277,830,166, is the result of participation in the various fairs organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), through the Vice Ministry of MIPYMES. These events were organized with the Paraguayan Chamber of Supermarkets (CAPASU), the Grupo Real, and Shopping Mariscal López. As part of the National Economic Reactivation, entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium-sized companies had opportunities to expose and market their products to the public.


Peru

Ministry of Production: 16,000 SMEs will be formalized this year

One of the main goals for this year is to achieve the formalization of 16,000 SMEs in Lima and other regions. Among other measures, the web platform "Create Your Enterprise" will be launched, which allows users to start the process of establishing an enterprise virtually 24 hours a day during the week to simplify formalization procedures and reduce crowds on face-to-face platforms.


Executive continues to promote the immediate financing of MSMEs through factoring companies

In order to continue providing support to MSMEs, the Executive expanded the state coverage for access to immediate financing through factoring or sale of invoices, in accordance with Emergency Decree No. 144 -2020.


United States

SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.


SBA Launches Largest Expansion of Women’s Business Centers in 30 Years

The U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator announced the launch of Ascent, a first-of-its-kind, free digital e-learning platform geared to help women entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses. Ascent has valuable content such as tips on preparing and recovering from disasters, strategic marketing and business financial strategy development.


1.1 Million Paycheck Protection Program Loans Forgiven So Far Totaling Over $100 Billion

The U.S. Small Business Administration has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended.


Uruguay

Five companies in the biotechnology sector will be supported by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM)

The Biotechnology Sector Support Fund created by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) with the support of the National Development Agency (ANDE, for its acronym in Spanish) is an instrument designed and aligned with the objective of promoting the development of MSMEs in this sector. It aims at adding value to the production of goods and services, thus improving their performance, supporting MSMEs n the process that leads them to achieve efficiency and competitiveness in their targeted markets.



      International and Regional Organizations

Caribbean Export

EU Provides Additional 3.68M Euros to Fund Regional Private Sector Development

The European Union and CARIFORUM have agreed to top-up by 3.68 million euros (US$4.4M) the EU-funded Regional Private Sector Development Programme implemented by the Caribbean Export Development Agency. This brings the overall EU support granted to the programme to 27.68 million euros (US33M).

The European Union and CARIFORUM upgraded the programme given the unprecedented situation the Caribbean region faces as a result of the COVID pandemic. Similarly, the duration of the programme was extended by one year, to end in 2022 (2017-2022).


Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)

CABEI approves US $30.0 million to Bandex to support Dominican MSMEs affected by COVID-19

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) approved a Global Credit Line to Banco Nacional de las Exportaciones, S.A. (Bandex) of the Dominican Republic for an amount of up to US $30.0 million with the objective of supporting the reactivation of the productive sectors and foreign trade through financial intermediation.


 

 

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